Republican voters in South Carolina are voting in a primary on Tuesday, August 11, to determine the party’s candidate in the election to the U.S. Senate following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Reuters reports, UNN writes.
Details
After Graham’s death from heart disease, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve out the remainder of the senator’s term — until the beginning of January. President Donald Trump endorsed her candidacy for a full six-year term, calling it a “wonderful tribute” to her brother.
Darline Graham has never held public office. Her critics believe that relying on a famous surname and Trump’s support, without any political experience of her own, has effectively turned the primary into an attempt to determine the winner prematurely.
Candidates and contenders
Ten contenders are competing for the Republican Party nomination. They include U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, former Governor Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch.
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the two contenders with the best results will advance to a runoff, which will be held on August 25. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November election.
Lindsey Graham died last month after winning the Republican primary in June by nearly 28 percentage points over his closest competitor. He had sought a fifth term in the Senate.